Observations and suggestions<\/p>\n
I have had the privilege of residing in Indonesia for over a
\nyear. This is a great country, especially its vast and rich
\nculture. The following personal observations seem rather \"unique\"
\nand I wish to share them with fellow readers.<\/p>\n
First, the use of the entry immigration card when a foreigner
\nissued with a residential permit of six months is leaving
\nIndonesia; if I am not mistaken, it also applies to Indonesian
\ncitizens. If indeed such a card is required for immigration
\ncontrol purposes, shouldn't a new card, appropriately named an
\n\"exit\" card, be used instead?<\/p>\n
Second, the acceptance of U.S. dollar bills. Why is it that
\nthese notes which are legal tender are only accepted if they are
\ncrisp, of newer release, free from markings, etc.?<\/p>\n
Third, the rule barring ownership of vehicles by foreigners.
\nWhy is it that they are prohibited from owning one? Such a policy
\ndoes not make economic sense. At the end of the day, it is not
\ndifficult to imagine how this problem could be easily
\ncircumvented, i.e. by registering under an Indonesian's name,
\nthereby making the process a cumbersome one.<\/p>\n
Fourth, the billing of telephone charges in Bandung. It seems
\nrather strange that if one were to pay telephone bills by
\ntransfer, the telephone company need only liaise with the user's
\nbank, which in turn would deduct the necessary charges incurred.
\nDoesn't it make sense that while the telephone company deals
\ndirectly with the bank concerned, this process is transparent to
\nthe user.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, in the name of quality service, shouldn't
\nthe user be sent the telephone bill by the telephone company as
\nwell? The user should not be inconvenienced in his request from
\nhis bank or to refer to his banking statement. Aren't they two
\ndifferent issues?<\/p>\n
Fifth, the payment of bills at shopping centers, eateries,
\netc. It is not uncommon for certain counters within the shopping
\ncenters to issue bills and the customers must pay at the cashier
\nfirst, before returning to the counters to pick up their items.
\nDoesn't such a system breed inefficiency and perhaps also
\ndiscourage potential customers, especially if the queues are
\nlong? Perhaps such counters should be given more autonomy or
\nflexibility.<\/p>\n
Sixth, timing for purchasing movie theater tickets. In Jakarta
\n(perhaps other places too), it is not uncommon for movie theaters
\nto open their ticketing booths only half an hour before the
\nmovie's screening time. Doesn't such a practice go against
\neconomic sense? Assuming the movie is a hot release, it is not
\ndifficult to imagine the long queues that would have been formed.<\/p>\n
Would all the seats be sold out within half an hour?
\nWouldn't potential customers be discouraged from viewing as a
\nresult of the dauntingly long queues? For shows which are less
\npopular, doesn't this reduce the profit margin as opposed to a
\nsystem where the tickets could be purchased any time rather than
\nwithin a space of half an hour, or better still via telephone and
\nInternet bookings?<\/p>\n
The above observations are purely based on my personal
\nexperience and are not meant to be in any way negative.<\/p>\n
LAWRENCE TEH YEW KIAT<\/p>\n
Bandung<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observations-and-suggestions-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }